Description

Used to make children quiet at night or late evening. There is an indication that in former times this mask may have had an additional function. These masks have sometimes a beard or other facial hair painted on them which seems to imply that it represents a white man. At times the mask may represent a white woman in which case no facial hair would have been painted on the mask. There are indications too that children were trained with the use of these masks to keep quiet...there might be an enemy around. Two styles of these masks are made, oval and square. The black is from soot. Design as such has no meaning except to make it look fierce. Still in use. Made by Chief Joe Rich, Shushepish, age 68.